HARCP Archives

Browse by article

Browse by volume

Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2013, 15, 3 (pages: 19 - 28)

Transfer to buprenorphine from daily doses of methadone greater than 30mg – initial review of transfers

Conroy S., and Hill D.

Summary: Transferring from daily doses of over 30mg methadone to buprenorphine can be challenging due to receptor affinity for buprenorphine, but for many patients reduction to 30mg may be impossible. Other studies have demonstrated the process is possible but have only been conducted as inpatients. This study demonstrates that the transfer from a daily dose of methadone greater than 30mg can effectively be conducted without prior dose reductions in outpatients. It provides data and analysis of the 39 transfers completed to date, examining some biophysical measurements as well as reflecting on the patients' reasons for transfer and other social factors.